Redox-Related Genetic Markers of Cardiovascular Diseases

Multiple factors contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases, with oxidative stress being one of the most important pathogenetic mechanisms. Redox-related genes are therefore attractive candidate genes for cardiovascular diseases. There is compelling evidence that polymorphisms of genes that are related to production of and defences against reactive oxygen species are associated with levels of free radicals and intermediate cardiovascular phenotypes. Less robust data are available for the relationship between variants of redox-related genes and advanced cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease. Reasons for these negative findings are the complexity of the disease and insufficient characterisation of the phenotype and environmental factors. Large-scale genome-wide association studies are expected to deliver results on the role of redox-related genes in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, but future strategies will also involve more systematic and integrative approaches, including transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic strategies.